Celtic have taken over at the top of the Scottish Premier League as a Scott McDonald double and a simple Georgios Samaras strike handed them a 3-1 victory against St Mirren.



Tony Mowbray’s side came into the fixture on a two-game winless run but McDonald opened the scoring on 39 minutes when his shot was deflected past Paul Gallacher by Chris Innes.



Samaras double the advantage from close range soon after, before substitute Michael Higdon pulled one back just before half time.



McDonald wrapped up the points just past the hour with his eighth of the season, but wasted the chance to complete a hat-trick when missing a late penalty.



Rangers forfeited top spot as they continued their disappointing recent record at Pittodrie with a 1-0 reverse against ten-man Aberdeen.



Lee Miller grabbed the game’s solitary goal on 17 minutes, while the home side were forced to defend frantically after Mark Kerr was dismissed for a second booking just before the hour.



Dundee United wasted the chance to move level on points with Rangers, but Jon Daly did ensure they picked up a point with nine men at Motherwell.



A spectacular Andy Webster volley got the visitors off to the perfect start, but within two minutes John Sutton equalised and then Lukas Jutkiewicz’ fifth league goal of the season turned the game on its head.



And despite Prince Buaben being sent off for a second yellow card but they equalised through Daly seven minutes from time, before substitute Danny Swanson was also dismissed.



Hibernian remain third after beating Falkirk 2-0, while goals from Eggert Jonsson and Christian Nade handed Hearts a 2-1 victory at Kilmarnock and St Johnstone drew 1-1 with Hamilton